第75页

　　"We  have  access  to  Aqua,  Scarlet,  and  Lavender  Levels,"  she  told  them.  "Follow  me  to  the  medical  wing."  She  proceeded  down  a  concrete  hallway  with  a  high  arched  ceiling,  recessed  lights,  and  security  cameras.  "I  know  the  Covenant  entered  the  Epsilon  Eridani  system  at  approximately  oh-five-hundred  hours.  ONI  Section  Three  staff  evacuated  this  facility  at  oh-five-thirty  hours.  I  assume  you're  not  here  to  let  me  know  it's  safe  to  come  out?"
　　"Yes,  ma'am,"  Fred  replied.  "I  mean,  no,  ma'am.  It's  not  safe.  The  Fleet  engaged  the  Covenant,  but  the  enemy  managed  to  land  ground  forces  on  Reach.  We  were  sent  to  the  surface  to  protect  the  orbital-gun  generators."  He  stopped,  took  a  deep  breath,  and  continued.  "We  were  not  successful  in  that  mission.  Covenant  forces  overwhelmed  our  position."  He  glanced  back  at  Kelly  and  the  other  Spartans.  "We  fell  back  here...  we  thought  it  would  be  secure."
　　They  continued  down  the  sloping  passage;  titanium  doors  irised  open  for  them  and  closed  as  soon  as  they  passed.
　　"I  see,"  Dr.  Halsey  replied.  "And  Captain  Keyes?  John?"
　　"Unknown,"  Fred  told  her.  "The  Master  Chief  and  part  of  our  team  attempted  to  retrieve  an  unsecured  NAV  database  from  an  orbital  station  before  the  Covenant  got  to  it.  Assuming  he  was  successful,  and  given  Captain  Keyes's  record  of  combat  against  the  Covenant..."  Fred's  voice  trailed  off.
　　"I'm  sure  they  accomplished  their  mission  and  escaped,"  Dr.  Halsey  said,  finishing  the  thought  for  him.  "John  has  never  lost."
　　"No,  ma'am,"  Fred  replied.
　　122 HALO:  FIRST  STRIKE 5
　　They  walked  in  silence  for  a  moment  past  a  display  of  cap-                Z
　　tured  insurgent  flags  that  had  been  mounted  under  glass  along
　　the  curved  concrete  wall.  Most  were  emblazoned  with  an  array
　　of  gaudy  insignia—family  crests,  bloodied  dragons,  and  scorched
　　crossed  swords.  They  continued  past  these  remnants  of  a  rebel-                  Z
　　lion  the  UNSC  no  longer  had  to  worry  about. 5
　　"Doctor  Halsey?"  Fred  said.  "Permission  to  speak  freely?" ■
　　"Granted,"  she  said.  "I  don't  stand  on  ceremony,  particularly                  S  given  the  circumstances.  Speak  your  mind."
　　"Ma'am,  something  isn't  normal  about  this  Covenant  inva?sion,"  Fred  told  her.  "They've  won,  but  they  aren't  glassing  the  planet.  At  least  not  completely—as  near  as  I  can  determine,  they've  only  hit  the  poles  and  a  portion  of  the  lower  latitudes."
　　"And  they  had  digging  equipment  in  position  over  this  fa?cility,"  Kelly  added.
　　"Curious,"  Dr.  Halsey  said.  "They've  never  taken  an  interest  in  any  human  or  human  technologies—"  She  halted  at  a  large  metal  iris,  big  enough  to  drive  a  Warthog  through,  and  set  her  hand  on  a  palm  scanner.  "The  medical  wing,"  she  explained.  She  spoke  into  the  nearby  microphone:  "  'I  shall  do  no  harm.'  "  The  door  opened  for  them.
　　High-intensity  lights  flickered  on  in  the  large  room  beyond.  There  were  a  dozen  medical  diagnosis  tables  and  a  row  of  dis?plays  along  the  far  wall.  The  lime-colored  floor  was  brightly  polished  and  sterile.  The  walls  glowed  with  a  faint  pink  lumines?cence.  Seven  doors  led  to  adjacent  offices  and  surgical  bays  with  windows  looking  out  into  this  central  room.